Stopping dangerous tourists should be highest priority, says safety campaigner

The government’s sudden announcement of increased funding for rural highways, is no substitute for keeping dangerous drivers off our roads, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Dogandlemon.com editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says today’s announcement appears to be a direct reaction to his claim that the government was protecting the tourism industry instead of protecting New Zealand motorists.

“While I welcome the fact that the government has finally listened to my call for more funding to improve the safety of roads in tourist areas, the fact remains that the government is still quite happy for unsafe drivers to be using these roads. That’s totally unacceptable.”

“If the government is serious about preventing multiple tragedies, it needs to require tourist drivers to first prove they’re safe to be behind the wheel of a car. And, just as important, the government must enforce a 24 hour rest break before drivers who have flown in from overseas are allowed to rent a car.”

“Tired drivers are killing innocent people; handing tourists a brochure saying ‘get some rest’ isn’t good enough. While exhausted drivers are allowed to rent vehicles, these accidents will continue. While drivers who lack the ability to even drive on the correct side of the road are allowed to freely rent cars, these accidents will continue.”

“It’s totally unacceptable that the government demands high standards of driving from New Zealand drivers, but accepts appallingly low standards of driving from tourists.”

Matthew-Wilson has repeatedly called for a short, computerised driving test, which must be passed by any driver (including New Zealanders) before a vehicle can be rented.

ENDS

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